Depressed. Nothing is working. NOTHING!

[DianeK]

So dang depressed. I’m not even sure why I’m trying to bond my two girls at this point. Oh wait, it’s so I can actually have a life and not spend literally 4 hours a day with individual bunny playtime.

I just drove from Alaska to Vermont. My husband and I agreed, if this doesn’t bond them, nothing will. Day 2 of our 7 day drive, they got into a horrendous fight, Jeffrey nearly punctured Lilly’s lip straight though.

After trying another day, and them still being testy with each other (in a moving car), we separated them for the remainder of the trip.

Yesterday, we attempted to bond them again after an entire week off. We put them into a tiny box, drug them around, and they STILL nipped at each other. This nipping is completely unacceptable, because it turns into full blown fighting in a blink of an eye.

I am at a complete and total loss, and I can’t take much more of this anxiety. 

What would you guys do? Any thoughts, info, guidance, etc would be appreciated! 

[Taysmama13]

I’m so sorry you are feeling this way. As a new comer, I can’t offer any insight on how to bond your buns. I am having an equally hard time with my own. All I can say is that I understand your frustration and how upset you are. Just breathe and don’t give up! I’m sure other more insightful and useful people on here will help you if they can! Good luck!!

[JackRabbit]

Have you tried the steps on Tanlover’s website? wheekwheekthump.com

[MoveDiagonally]

I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this. Bonding can be so stressful and exhausting especially when it’s not going well.

My advice would be keeping them 100% separated if possible. No interaction through barriers/keep them out of each others sight. This gives you a break from all the stress and them some time to “forget” each other. A lot of times once things start going negatively in a bond it keeps getting worse because they start building a negative association with each other. I would say a couple weeks to a month off with no contact. At that point I would re-introduce them in a short neutral area session and see how it goes. They were getting along at one point and making progress so that gives hope!

During the down time I wouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself when it comes to play time. If they have decently sized habitats maybe alternate days so you’re not fretting about having time to let both out. Of course it’s better for them to have daily out of cage time but it’s not going to hurt them to have every other day in the short term.

Give them and yourself a nice break and come back to it. A lot of times the emotions we bring with us into a session can effect it. You giving yourself some time to decompress (from their troubles and your new move) will help.

[DianeK]

Thank you for the feedback and sympathies, everyone. They’re separated. Again. For the fourth time. Not sure when to say “when”, but I think we could all do with another break.

Lilly’s scab finally fell off of her upper lip, and you know what? It’s permanently split. I can see her teeth when her mouth is closed, though she eats and drinks just fine. I don’t know if I ever want Jeffrey near her again, quite frankly. I’m just starting to think, these delightful creatures I share my life with have such short lifespans… why put them through the misery?  They’re fine with just mine and my husband’s companionship. In fact, Jeffrey was happier before we adopted Lilly (which was for her, btw, because “rabbits need rabbit companions”.). She is also deeply bonded to our cat… she wouldn’t eat until he got to Vermont. Maybe she doesn’t have room in her heart for a rabbit companion. 

Never in a million years did I think they would be incompatible, but here we are. I also never thought two spayed does would be so violently territorial. As far as the last fight, Jeffrey staked out territory in the truck, you guys – *in a moving truck, over the span of about 6 hours*. The space couldn’t have been more that 2 feet by 3 feet!!!! How does that happen? 

Anyhow, as sad as I am, it’s a relief to not do these bonding sessions anymore. If I have to live with baby gates in my home to love my two rabbits separately, so be it… it’s not ideal but it’s not the end of the world either. 

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